Propellant feed system



Feb. 11, 1958 c. F. DRExl-:L

PROPELLAN'I- FEED SYSTEM Filed Fb. 3. 1954 INVENTOR.

United States Patent() The present invention relates generally to a propellant feed apparatus and relates more particularly to a system and apparatus for utilizing normally wasted heat energy for effecting feeding of a propellant to a combustion chamber for combustion or decomposition therein.

While the present invention relates primarily to a device for supplying the products of decomposition of a liquid monopropellant and also to a meansfor storing a monopropellant fuel whereby such fuel may be instantaneously available, it will be understood that the invention may also be applied to propellant fuel systems Vinvolving and utilizing more than a single propellant and to fuel systems which rely upon combustion of a fuel with air or other combustion-supporting media. It is also to be understood that, while the device of the present invention is adapted primarily for use in short duration applications, under certain conditions of operation and with certain types of fuel, operation may be extended to prolonged use. The duration of operation of the device of the present invention must necessarily be limited to the available quantity of and pressure head on the propellant or propellants and the characteristics of such propellants.

In various types of installations, especially aboard aircraft or vessels, a short duration supply of power is often desirable. Such power may be converted into electrical,

hydraulic or mechanical energy which in turn may be used as a driving meansfor vehicles of various kinds as a means for starting engines or for emergency power` applications in aircraft or elsewhere. It is also desirable that such sources of power be self-contained, relatively simple and compact.

It is, accordingly, one object of the present invention to provide a propellant system wherein energy derivedlfrom combustion or decomposition of a propellant it utilized to effect feeding thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide p extend'` through the insert 37 from the fitting 33 for con:- f

a propellant feed system having control means for controlling the flow of such propellant, said control means being responsive to the speed of a driven uid motor. r

A further object of the present invention is to provide v a fluid motor control and propellant feed system wherein clutch means are provided intermediate such fluid motor and a load thereof, the clutch means being operable in response to expansion of a gas induced by heat energy derived from combustion or decomposition of the propelf. lant.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device for producing products of decomposition wherein heat energy derived from such decomposition may be utilized to effect expansion of a gas, such gas acting as a source of pressure for deliveringa propellant from a suitable container to a point of combustion.

yOther and further important objects of the invention will become apparent from the disclosures in the follow-f ing specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawing, wherein the single figure schematically illustrates invention.

n 2,822,667 Patented Feb. 11,1958

relce suchlas illustrated byfa turbine 15. In one form of use of the present invention, the turbine 15 may be operatively connected to a'suitable load, indicated generally at 16, through'a clutch mechanism 17. Electrical means, indicated generally at 18,;is also provided in order to initiate operation of the propellant feed system, the driving speed ofthe device being controlled by a governor arrangement indicated generallyfat 19. j

The-container 10 may assume a generally ovoid con-l figuration withvone portion 2l) enclosing the chamber 11 and aA larger p ortion 21 enclosing the chamber 12. The portions 20 and 21 a-refianged at 22 and 23 and may be secured Vtogether by bolts 24 with the peripheral edge of the diaphragm 13 clamped therebetween. Capped filling openings v25 and 26 may also be provided in the walls of As shown in the drawing, the combustion chamberf14` includes'an elongated outer housing 3,4 that Lis reduced Q in diameter as at 35, this reduced diameter portion being*` disposed for threaded engagement in a boss 3.6,'whicheii-` tends outwardly from the portion 20 of the"cont`ai`ner"10. .i The rearward portion of `the combustion chamber 'I4-is" l fitted with aninsert 37 that makes threaded connections at 38 with -the housing `34',V the fitting 33 being -tlneadablyav disposed in the insert 37. A plurality Lof exit passages 39 f ducting propellant into the interior 40 of the combustion g chamber14. VThe open ends of the passages 39 form spray openings for the propellant. A flame tube 41 is disposed axially within the interior 40 of the combustion chamber 14, at least one of the passages communicating with th'ef interior of the iiame tube 41. In'order to increase the-- heat -transfer from the exteriorof the combustion vcham-- ber housing 34, a plurality of radially extending heat ex change fins 42 aredisposed along the major length of the housing'. H f "Y Without departing from thel scope of the present invenn tion, it may be seenand it should .beunderst'ood that."l the combustion chamber 14 may assume` various 'shapes A and have various detail. arrangements dependingupon the-"T type of propellant utiliz'ed'with the Vsystem" and u'p'on the necessary means for tion of this propellant.

In instances where combustion or decomposition-ofthe? propellant must'be initiated, an igniiion deviceE whicli" may take theform of a glow'or sparkplug 43, for rain L ple, has a body disposed through the wallof the combiis tion chamber with the operative portion thereof entendi-iiginto the interior of the liarne tube`41'.` As shown, the-53 plug 43,may.be.suppliedwitheleetrical energy -fro'ra' battery 44 Ythrough conductors 45` and'f46fl Energi'zatibnll nof. the` ignitin plug 'is accomplished by the''clo'sing-of? aj ii rearward portion of the com-l ignitin'g or effecting decoinposi- T switch 47 which connects one ofA the battery cterniinals.A to conductor 45 to complete the electric circuit. A tube 48 is disposed between the inner' wall of lthe portion 20 of the containerY and-the exterior of the housingr 34 ofjthe combustion chamber in orderto protect the electrical con-Akx nections ofthe ignition plug against heat,` deterioratlonvand corrosion.

Upon closing the switch 47, thebattery44fis also electri-v" cally connected through conductors 49 and 50-with a coilr 51 that is disposed and adapted to operate the primary-now control valve 29 and an electromagnetically operated gas ow control valve 52. For a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described thevalves 29 and 52'are normally-p closed and adapted to be the coil 51.. I

The discharge of hot combustion products or products openedI uponl energization of of decomposition'ifrom the combustion chamber 14 are conducted through a conduit 53 which makes threaded connection, as at 54, with the reduced diameter portion 35 from the housing .34. 'These combustion products may be utilized for any desired purpose, such'as, for example,

for driving the turbine 15. In accordance withl conventional practice, the combustion products are conducted' into a scroll 55 and from the scroll through a nozzle 56I to thereafter impinge upon and drive a turbine wheel 57,

the combustion products discharging lfrom the wheel A57 through a passage 58.

The turbine wheel 57 is connectedtoa stub sh'aftf59` which is in Iturn journaled in a bearing 60 and extends toV and supports a clutch plate 61. A second clutch vplate 62 is axially aligned with the clutch plate 61 and is supported for sliding movement on the splined end of a shaft 63,

which extends Vto the load 16 to drive it. The shaft 63 andV isreciprocally mounted in an annulus 68 formed in'thef clutch housing 66. The piston 67 has an inwardly extending lip 69 that engages the thrust bearing 65, thecon- Y tion ofthe plate 77, the yballs 78 move outwardly vkto f member 80 toward'an open position.

struction being such that, upon reciprocal movement of the piston 67, the clutch plate 62 together with the thrust bearing 65-will be moved axially along thelspli'ned-'end ofthe shaft 63 so that friction surfaces of the 'clutch plates 61 and 62 may be brought into engagementiwith each other. A compression spring 70 is disposed in the annulus" 68-intermediate` the piston'67 and a braking disc V71,v in

fully described, an oricev72 extends through the Wall of the housing and provides a communicationbetween`the-` interior of the annulus68 and the ambient atmosphere.

In-order to provide means for energizing vthe `clutchf17,`

a short section-of conduit 73 is connected by aitting 73a-'forcomm'unication with chamber 11. The conduit- 73 extends -to the gas flow control valve 52, a second conduit 74 extending from the valve 52 to the clutch 17 and communicating with the annulus 68. It may thus be seen that,

upon energization of the coil 51, the valve 52 willbe` opened- -to permit the transmission of gas under pressure from the chamber 11 to the annulus 68 of the clutch, thereby to axially movethe piston 67 and elect engagement of the clutch plates 61 and 62.

For proper operation of the device of the present invention, it is desirable that the speed of the turbine 15, -together with the speed of the driven load 16, be maintained at a constant rate. To accomplish this regulation, a bevel gear 75 is connected to and adapted to be driven by the shaft 63, the gear 75 beingy in mating contact with a second bevel gear 76 which is connected to Yand positioncd'to drive the governor 19. The governor 19 comprises a substantially horizontally disposed plate 77 that is adapted to support a plurality of yballs 78 which are normally retained in position adjacent Athe central areavof the plate77 bysmeansof an inverted "cone structure 79. Upon rota' It may be seen thatrthe at-rest position of the propellant feed apparatus" of l the present invention is substantially as indicated in the drawing, with lthe diaphragm 13 in substantially the position indicated, the chamberv 11 filled with asuitable gas such-as, for example, nitrogen, and the chamber 12 filled with a suitable Y propellant or monopropellant such as, forexample C2H4O. As previously stated, electromagnetically operated valves 29 and 52 are normally closed when the system is not in operation. The flow control valve 31 is open at this time, and the clutch'17 is held disengagedby means of the actionl ofthe compressionspiing 70.v The gas inthe chamber 11 is placed thereV under pressurev in order to establish an initial head against diaphragm 13 tending to expel the propellantV from the chamber 12 through the conduit 28.

Upon closing of the switch 47, electrical energy is supplielvby the battery in order'to energize the ignition'v plug-43 and simultaneously to open the valves 29 and 52. By means of the valve 29,' the propellant is admitted from the conduit 28 to the conduit 32 and into the combustion chamber 14 wherein combustion or decomposition takes place. Hotcombustion products are thereafter deliveredto `the conduit 53 and then to the scroll S5 of the turbine 15, and serve to drive the wheel 57 and the clutchplate 61. Simultaneously, the valve 52 serves to admit high-pressure gas from the chamber 11, through the conduit 74 and to the annulus 68 of the clutch mechanisrn171, to move the piston 67 axially in the annulus thereby to compress the spring 70 and effect contact between, the clutch plates 61 andV 62 to place the turbine 15 in driving engagement with the shaft 63 and the load 16.v A constant flow of the gas from the annulus 68 is maintained through the orice 72; however,- the orifice 72'isfof a suiciently small size as to permit retention of alhighenoughpressure within the annulus 68 to maintain the clutch plates 61 and 62 indriving engagement with each other.

As the propellant is consumed within the combustion chamber-14,"heat developed therein is conducted from' the housing 34 of the combustion chamber through' the: ns 42 -andfbyhcat exchange with the gas in the chamber 11,- produces a thermal expansion of the gas thereby to` maintain the; pressure of the gas n the chamber 11 at a level suflicient to insure adequate expulsion of the pro# pellant; through movement of thev diaphragm 13 in the direction'ofthefchamber 12,` as'indicated by the dotted lines'la.' The pressure headAthus maintained on the propellantffrom the ychamberlZ causes continuous'flow of the-propellant outward lthrough the conduit '28 and to thecombustionchamber 14.' Additionally, the gas within the chamberfll'is-maintained at a suflicient pressure level to insureadequate engagementiof'the'clutch plates 61 land,62-ofthe"clutch'17.

As-therspe'ed of -the turbine-.15, and the driven load 16, increases, the governor 19 will operate to move the annulus 68 to bleed down through the orifice 72. A similar action will take place, in reducing or stopping gas ow to the annulus 68, in the event the switch 47 is opened thus to close the valve 52. This action will permit the compression spring 70 to overcome the force of the gas within the annulus 68 and effect disengagement of the clutch plates 61 and 62 thereby disconnecting the turbine 15 from the load 16. It will be understood that valve 52 may take the form of a dual purpose valve that would vent the gas from the annulus 68 as rapidly as might be desired upon de-energization of the valve.

Upon continued movement of the clutch plate 62 away from clutch plate 61, the surface of this plate opposite the surface which engages the plate 61, is adapted to engage the braking disc 71 to apply a braking action to the clutch plate 62, shaft 63 and load 16, thereby to arrest the load immediately.

It may be seen that, through use of the present system, with the combustion chamber 14 being located in the gas containing chamber 11, a portion of the energy of combustion or decomposition of the propellant is given up to the gas within the chamber 11 in order to maintain or raise its temperature and pressure during operation of the system. Thus a smaller volume is necessary for the container 10, and specifically for the chamber 11, than would otherwise be required in systems depending entirely upon the initial pressure of the gas to force the propellant from the chamber 12. Conversely, in a container of a given size a lower initial gas pressure may be employed.

It may be seen that the heat transfer tins 42, incorporated on the exterior of the combustion chamber 14, may be replaced by other means for transferring heat to the stored gas within the chamber 11 in order that the high pressure of the gas may be maintained at the desired temperature or on any predetermined schedule of desired temperatures and pressure. In conventional systems, the heat that is radiated from the combustion chamber is normally wasted. Therefore, the utilization of this heat to raise the temperature and permit isothermal expansion of the gas, rather than radiation of the excess heat of combustion to the surroundings, or convection and conduction to the ambient atmosphere through the associated components of the device, enables the present system to provide a more highly eicient propellant feed and fuel supply system than has heretofore been known.

It will be understood that the sequence in which the valves 29 and 52 are operated may be varied, depending on the particular purpose for which the propellant feed system of the invention is designed. In particular, it is feasible to open the valve 52 before the ignition plug 43 is energized and before the valve 29 is opened, thereby to engage the clutch plates 61 and 62 even before the turbine 15 begins to operate. In some instances this may t be `advantageous because the torque of a turbine is at a maximum when the turbine blades are stationary.

I claim:

1. In a combustible propellant feed apparatus for use with a uid driven motor: a container; a movable wall dividing said container into propellant and gas chambers; a combustion chamber, said combustion chamber being disposed in said gas chamber to permit direct transfer of heat energy therefrom to gas in said gas chamber, thereby to cause thermal expansion of said gas; means for conducting propellant from said propellant chamber to said combustion chamber for combustion therein; and means for conducting combustion products from said combustion chamber to said motor.

2. In a combustible propellant feed apparatus for use with a fluid driven motor: a container; a movable walll dividing said container into propellant and gas chambers; a combustion chamber, said combustion chamber being disposed in said gas chamber to permit direct transfer of heat energy therefrom to gas in said gas chamber, thereby to cause thermal expansion of said gas; means for conducting propellant from said propellant chamber to said combustion chamber forcombustion therein'1 means for conducting combustion productsA from said combustion chamber to said motor for driving it; and means responsive to the speed `of said motor for controlling the ilow of said propellant to said combustion chamber. i

3. In a Huid motor driving system: a container; a movable wall dividing said container into propellant and gas chambers; a combustion chamber,-said combustion chamber being disposed relative to said gas chamber in a manner permitting transfer of heat energy therefrom to gas in said gas chamber, thereby to cause thermal expansion of said gas; means for conducting propellant from said propellant chamber to said combustion chamber for combustion therein; means forrconducting combustion products from said combustion chamber to Vsaid motor for driving it; and means responsive to gas pressure created by the expansion of said gas forv connecting said motor with a load.

4. In a uid motor driving system: a container; a movable wall dividing said container into propellant and gas chambers; a combustion chamber, said combustion chamber being disposed relative to said gas chamber in a manner permitting transfer of heat energy therefrom to gas in said gas chamber, thereby to cause thermal expansion of said gas; means for conducting propellant from said propellant chamber to said combustion chamber for combustion therein; means for conducting cornbustion products from said combustion chamber to said motor for driving it; and means responsive to the pressure of gas from said gas chamber for connecting said motor with a load. v

5. In a fluid motor driving system: a container; a movable wall dividing said container into propellant and gas chambers; a combustion chamber, said combustion chamber being disposed in said gas chamber to permit transfer of heat energy therefrom to gas in said gas chamber, thereby to cause thermal expansion of said gas; means for conducting propellant from said propellant chamber to said combustion chamber for cornbustion therein; means for conducting combustion products from said combustion chamber to said motor for driving it; means responsive to the speed of said motor for controlling tlow Iof said propellant to saidV combustion chamber; and means responsive to gas pressure created by the expansion of said gas for connecting said motor with a load.

6. In a uid motor driving system: a container; a

from said gas chamber for connecting said motor with aV load.

7. A fluid motor drive control and propellant feed apparatus comprising: a container; a movable partition for dividing said container into dual portions forming a gas chamber and a propellant chamber; a combustion chamber having at least a portion thereof disposed in said gas chamber whereby, upon combustion therein, heat energy therefrom will be transmitted to gas in said gas chamber, thereby to cause thermal expansion of said gas; conduit means for conducting propellant from said propellant chamber to said combustion chamber; ignition means associated with said combustion chamber; propel-A lant control valve means for controlling'tlowof said propellant through said conduit meansfto said combusi i tion chamber; lmeans for` conducting combustion prod-Y ucts from said combustion 'chambertous'aid'uidmotor for 'driving' same; a load adapted to be' driven by said uid motor; and a clutch disposed intermediate said uid motor and said load, said clutch being movable for engagement in response to the expansion of said gasin said gas chamber. l

8. A fluid motor drive control and propellant feed apparatus comprising: a container; a movable partition for dividing said container into dual portions forming a gas chamber and a propellant chamber; a combustion chamber having at least a portion'ther'eof disposed in said gas chamber whereby, upon combustion therein, heat energy therefrom will beV transmitted to gas in said gaschamber, thereby to cause thermal expansion of said gas; conduit means for conducting propellant from said propellant chamber to said combustion chamber; ignition means associated with said combustion chamber; propellant control valvev means for controlling'owof said propellant through said conduit means toi'said combustion chamber; means for conducting combustionp'oducts from said combustion chamber to said iui'dmo'toi`` for driving same; a load adapted to be driven by said uid motor; and a clutch disposed intermediate saidiiuid motor andlsaid load, said clutch being movable 'fo'renl gagement in response to the'pressur'e of said gas from said gas chamber. A

9. A duid motor drive control and propellant feed'apparatus comprising: -a container; a movable wall for'dividing said container lnto dual portionsforming a lgas chamber and a propellant chamber; a c oinbustioncha-tn-A ber having at least a portion thereof disposed insaidfgas chamber whereby, upon 'combustion therein, heat energy therefrom will be transmitted to gas insaid gas chamber, thereby to cause thermal expansion of said gas;-con`duit means for conducting propellant from said propellant chamber to said combustion chamber; ignition means associated with said combustion chamber; propellant control valve means for initiating flow ofsaid'propellant through said con-duit means to said combustion chamber; means for conducting combustion products from said combustion chamber to said fluid motor for driving same; a load adapted tobe driven `by said uid motor; a clutch disposed intermediate said iluid motor and said load;, conduit means for conducting said vgas to said'clutch; said clutch being movable for engagement in response Vtol the expansion of said gas in said, gas chamber; andfgas control valve means Yfor"controlling the ilow of saidfgas to said clutch, said valve being operablesimultaneously with operation of said propellant control valve means.l

lO. A iluid lmotor drive control and propellant feedi apparatus comprising: acontainer; a movable-partition for dividing said container into dual portions forming a gas chamber and a propellant chamber; a combustion chamber having at least a portion thereof disposed in' said' 'l gas chamber whereby, upon combustion therein', heat energy therefrom will be transmitted to gas in said gas" chamber, thereby to cause thermal `expansion of said gas;V conduit means for conducting. propellant from'saidp'rol pellant chamber to said combustion chamber;` ignition means associated with said combustion chamber; prof-VV pellant control valve means for initiating ow ofl said propellant through said conduit 'mean'sto said combustion chamber; means for conducting combustion products from said `combustion Vchamber to'said fluid y same; a load adapted to-be driven 'by said'uid motor; a clutch disposed intermediate said uidfmotor and'said load; conduit means forcondcting said gasto said clutch, said clutch being mov'able'foi" engagement'in response'to the expansion of said'gsinj saidgas chamber; gaseoutrol valve means fori controlling'the tlowofsaid'g'a'sf to said clutch, said v'alv'effbeihg 'operable simultaneously with operation otsaid propellant control valve means; and means for disenga'gingsaid clutch and applyingv a braking motori for driving t action on sai-'d load 'upon a drop vinthe pressure of said expanding gas.

11( A'iiuid motordrive control and propellant feed apparatusfcomprising: `a container; a exible diaphragm for dividing said-container into dual portions forming a gas chamberfanda propellant chamber; a combustion chaniber,'said combustion chamber being disposed in said gas chamber`whereby,'upo'n combustion therein, heat energy therefrom will be transmitted to gas in said gas chamber, thereby to cause thermal expansion of said gas; conduit means for conducting propellant from said propellant chamber'to saidlcombustion chamber; ignition means associated withsaid combustion chamber; primary propellant'control valve means operable simultaneously with energizationof said ignition means for initiating flow of said propellant'through said conduit means to said combustion chamber; means -for' conducting combustion products from said Vcombustion chamber to said iluid motor for driving same; secondary propellant control valve means disposed in said conduit means, said secondary valve means being movable in response to speed changes of said fluid motor; a load adapted to be driven by said fluid motor; and a clutch disposed intermediate said fluid motor and'said load. A

l2. A uid motor drive control and propellant feed apparatus comprising: a container; a-flexible diaphragm for dividingsaid container into dual portions forming a gas chamberuand a propellant cham-ber; -a combustion chamber having external radially extendingina--said combustion chamberY beingV disposed in said gas chamber whereby, upon combustion therein, heat energy` therefrom will vbe transmitted to gasin said gas'ch'amber, thereby to cause thermal expansion of1 said gas; conduit means for conducting propellant-from said propellant chamber to said combustion' chamber; ignitionmeans'associated with said combustion'chamber; electromagnetic primary propellant control valve means operable simultaneously with energization of said ignition means for initiating ow of'said propellant through said conduit means to said combustion chamber; means-'for conducting combustion products from said combustion chamber to said iluid motor tor :driving same; secondary propellant control valve means disposed in said conduit means, said secondary valve means being movable-toward a closed position; a governor'for eiecting movementof said secondary Valve, said igovernor'being in turn adapted -for'actuation in response to speed changes ofE said uid motor; a load adapted to be driven by saidv fluid motoria clutch`dis posed intermediate said iiuid'motor' and said`lo`ad,v said clutch being movable for engagement in-re'spc'inseV to the expansion' of said gas in said gas chamber; and electromagnetic gas control valve means for controlling the flow of said gasto said'clu'tch, said valve being operable simultaneously with'operation of said control valve means.

13. Ap'ower turbinecontrol and propellantfeed apparatus 'comprisingi a container; a flexible diaphragm for dividing said container into dual portions forming a gas chamberand a propellant chamber;`a combustion chamberv having external radially extending'flns, said combustion chamber being disposed insaid gas chamber whereby, upon combustiontherein, heat energy therefrom will be transmitted to gasin'said 'gas chamber, thereby to cause thermal expansioniof said'gas'jlconduit means for conducting propellant from said propellant chamber to said combustion chamber; ignition frneans' associated with said combustion chamber; electromagnetic primary propellant controlcvalve means operablesimultaneously with enerL gizatio'n of said ignition means for initiatingliow of said propellant through said conduit means to said combustion chamber; means for'conducting combustion productsfrom said combustion chamber to said turbine for driving same;- secondary propellant controlvalve means disposed in saidconduit means, said secondary valve means being movable toward a closed position; a governor for effecting moveprimary propellant? ment of said secondary valve, said governor being in turn adapted for actuation in response to speed changes of said turbine; a load adapted to be driven by said turbine; a. clutch disposed intermediate said turbine and said load;

conduit means for conducting said gas to said clutch, said clutch being movable for engagment in response to the expansion of said gas in said gas chamber; electromagnetic gas control valve means for controlling the flow of said gas to said clutch, said valve being operable simultaneously with operation of said primary propellant control valve means; and means for disengaging said clutch and applying a braking action on said load upon a drop in the pressure of said expanding gas.

14. in a device for providing products of decomposition: a container; movable wail means disposed in said container to divide said container into a plurality of chambers, one of said chambers being adapted to retain a gas under pressure, another of said chambers being adapted to retain a liquid propellant; a combustion chamber positioned in said gas-iilled chamber; a conduit for conducting said propellant to said combustion chamber; and means for igniting said propellant in said combustion chamber, whereby neat energy from decomposition of said propellant in said combustion chamber is transmitted to said gas to cause thermal expansion thereof and movement of said wall means toward said other of said chambers, thereby to expel said propellant therefrom.

15. ln a device for providing products of decomposition: a container; a exible diaphragm disposed across said container to divide said container into a pair of chambers, one of said chambers being adapted to retain a gas under pressure; the other one of said chambers retaining a liquid propellant; a combustion chamber positioned in said gas-filled chamber; an extended surface projecting from the exterior of said combustion chamber; a conduit for conducting said propellant to said combuston chamber; and means for igniting said propellant in said combustion chamber, whereby heat energy from said propellant in said combustion chamber is transmitted to said gas to cause thermal expansion thereof and deformation of said diaphragm toward said other one of said chambers, thereby to expel said propellant therefrom.

16. In a device for providing products of decomposition: a container; a exible diaphragm disposed across said container to divide said container into a pair of chambers, one of said chambers being adapted to retain a gas under pressure; the other one of said chambers retaining a liquid propellant; a combustion chamber positioned in said gas-filled chamber; a plurality of members projecting outwardly from the exterior of said combustion chamber; a conduit for conducting said propellant to said combustion chamber; means for igniting said propellant in said combustion chamber, whereby heat energy from decomposition of said propellant in said combustion chamber is transmitted to said gas to cause thermal expansion thereof and deformation of said diaphragm` to- Ward said other one of said chambers thereby to expel said propellant therefrom; and valve means in said conduit operable simultaneously with energization of said igniting means for controlling the flow of said propellant to said combustion chamber.

17. In a device for providing products of decomposition: a container; a flexible member dividing said container -into first and :second fluid tight chambers; a heat generator having a combustion chamber disposed substantially centrally of said first chamber to be surrounded by and transfer heat directly to fluid therein; passage means leading from. said combustion chamber to the exterior of said container; additional passage means establishing communication between the second fluid tight chamber and said combustion chamber to conduct fuel from. the former to the latter; and valve means in said additional passage means to control fuel flow to said combustion chamber.

18. In a device for providing products of decomposition: a container; a flexible member dividing said container into first and second iiuid tight chambers; a combination heat generator and exchanger having a cornbustion chamber disposed substantially centrally of said first chamber to be surrounded by and in direct heat transfer relation to uid therein; passage means leading from said combustion chamber to the exterior of Isaid container; additional passage. means establishing cornmunication between the second fluid tight chamber and said combustion chamber to conduct fuel from the former to the latter; and valve means in said additional passage means to control fuel ow to said combustion chamber.

19. In a device for providing products of decomposition: a container; a flexible member dividing said container into first and second iiuid tight chambers; a combination heat generator and exchanger having a body with externally disposed heat dissipating fins and an internal combustion chamber disposed substantially axially of said irst chamber to be surrounded by and in direct heat transfer relation to uid therein; passage means leading from said combustion chamber to the exterior of said container; additional passage means establishing cornmunication between the second fluid tight chamber and said combustion chamber to conduct fuel from the former to the latter; and valve means in sai-d additional passage means to control fuel flow to said combustion chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

